Apple was expected to announce the Apple Watch Ultra 3 in September 9 at the company's "It's Glowtime" event alongside the iPhone 16, but that didn't happen. Instead, Apple released a black version of the Apple Watch Ultra 2. So when will we see the third-generation model, and what will the differences be? Keep reading to learn what the rumored changes are.
When Apple Watch Ultra 2 debuted in 2023, key new features included a 50% brighter display, a faster S9 chip, a "Double Tap" gesture for interacting with the watch without touching the screen, on-device Siri, and increased internal storage. Unfortunately, the next version of the device is unlikely to reach those lofty heights. Here's what the rumors say.
Display Technology
Initially, it was believed that Apple was working on an Apple Watch Ultra with a microLED display, which would provide increased brightness, better contrast, and improved battery efficiency. However, these plans appear to have been postponed indefinitely. Apple worked on microLED display technology for several years, but the project was scrapped in 2024 and there are no current plans for a microLED Apple Watch in the near future.
On the flip side, Apple is rumored to be adopting new low-energy OLED panel technology in new Apple Watch models to further reduce the power consumption of its always-on display. If that's the case, it's unlikely that Apple would use the technology in its latest Series model without also bringing it to its latest Apple Watch Ultra model.
New Features
The next-generation Apple Watch Ultra is set to gain satellite connectivity, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple first introduced satellite connectivity for off-grid texting with the iPhone 14, and the feature has been included in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, but no Apple Watch has had it before.
Apple is also ramping up work on a blood pressure monitoring feature for the Apple Watch and it could be ready as soon as 2025, reports Gurman.
The new Apple Watch feature will not measure exact systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels but will instead monitor trends, alerting users if their blood pressure is rising and potentially indicating hypertension. Users receiving such alerts could then consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and testing.
Hypertension, often called the “silent killer,” can progress unnoticed until it causes severe health complications, such as heart damage or even death. Symptoms are often absent until the condition becomes critical. Early detection through wearable technology like the Apple Watch could significantly improve outcomes and save lives. Currently, the Apple Watch can detect atrial fibrillation, perform one-lead ECGs, and monitor blood oxygen levels, though the latter feature is disabled in U.S. models due to patent restrictions.
Apple plans to debut this blood pressure monitoring capability in the Apple Watch Ultra 3 in 2025, with the standard Apple Watch models also likely to adopt the feature. However, the feature's release is not guaranteed due to past delays. Blood pressure monitoring is a health addition that Apple has been working on for the last several years, and based on rumors, Apple wanted to debut it in 2024.
In addition, Apple is still developing noninvasive blood glucose monitoring technology. The feature is still a few years away, but in early 2023, Apple reportedly hit a milestone in development, creating a proof-of-concept model that is viable, but needs to be sized down to fit into a wearable. As of early 2023, blood glucose monitoring was said to still be three to seven years away from launching.
Colors
Apple currently offers the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black and natural titanium colors, and it is likely to offer the Ultra 3 in the same colors, or at least we have not heard any rumors claiming otherwise.
watchOS 12
One thing we can be sure of is that Apple Watch Ultra 3 will run watchOS 12, the next version of the Apple Watch operating system. Apple is expected to preview the software during WWDC in June 2025, and users can expect a range of updates and improvements, with the possibility that some Apple Intelligence features will form a part of the update.
